August 14, 2024
Although prosecutors asked for 3 years, judge sentences Ann Marie Drago to five years probation
A white Long Island, NY woman was given probation after pleading guilty to running over an anti-gang activist, Evelyn Rodriguez, and killing her while she was at a memorial for her daughter. The daughter, Kayla Cuevas, was killed by MS-13 gang members two years before the incident.
According to CBS News, 63-year-old Ann Marie Drago was sentenced to five years probation, although the district attorney suggested she receive three years in prison. She pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide after being tried twice for the killing of Rodriguez. In the first trial, she was found guilty, but the verdict was overturned. The second trial ended in a hung jury. In the court’s ruling, it was intimated that Drago had suffered enough.
“We didn’t get the justice that we was looking for, as far as that’s considered,” Kayla’s father, Freddy Cuevas said. “Her getting probation, that’s like a slap on the hand.”
The incident took place in 2018 when Drago killed anti-gang activist Evelyn Rodriguez by running over her at a memorial for Rodriguez’s 16-year-old daughter, Kayla. The memorial was commemorated two years after she was killed.
At the time of the incident, Drago was trying to sell her mother’s house and was scared that the memorial would scare off potential buyers. She was accused of trashing the memorial hours before it was scheduled to take place. When Kayla’s parents, Freddy Cuevas and Rodriguez, confronted Drago about what she had done while she was in her car, she allegedly stepped on the accelerator, striking Rodriguez and causing her death. Drago claimed it was a tragic accident.
“I just felt sorrow for my daughters because of the pain they are going through,” Freddy Cuevas said. “Evelyn was considered a great advocate for the community.”
He also pointed out that Drago eventually must answer for her actions.
“She’s going to be free. She’s going to be living her life, but judgment day will come one day.”
